Computex expects 11 percent more overseas buyers

HEATING UP:Computex is forecasting at least US$25 billion in orders from the overseas buyers who are expected to attend, or 25% of annual electronics exports

By Lisa Wang / Staff reporter

A model poses during a pre-show press conference for the 2013 Computex in Taipei yesterday.

Photo: Mandy Cheng, AFP

The annual Computex trade fair is expected to bring more than US$25 billion in orders for local electronics manufacturers by attracting 11 percent more overseas buyers to the show, the event’s co-organizer the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA, 貿協) said yesterday.

This year, about 40,000 overseas buyers are expected to attend the fair, the biggest PC trade show in Asia, compared with 36,000 visitors last year, TAITRA said.

“Electronics purchasing is closely linked to the macroeconomy. As the economic situation this year is much better than last year, we expect the purchases will exceed last year’s level of US$25 billion,” TAITRA executive vice executive Walter Yeh (葉明水) said.

“This is a very conservative forecast,” Yeh said.

The US$25 billion amounts to 25 percent of Taiwan’s average annual electronics exports of US$100 billion, he said.

About 1,700 companies are slated to showcase their latest products, including Asustek Computer Inc’s (華碩) new Padphone, which blurs the boundaries between tablet and mobile phone.

For the first time, US company Corning, Bayer from Germany, China’s Hisense (海信) and Hassee (神舟) will showcase their new products during Computex, TAITRA said.

Moreover, six countries have decided to lease space specially for their companies to showcase their new products, while the US will return this year after 10-year absence from the show, TAITRA said.

South Korea, which has not participated in Computex in the past few years, has also decided to arrange exhibition space for their companies this year, TAITRA said.